Dispatch Reveals Popular K-Drama Actor’s Dark Past As A “Robber And Rapist”
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According to Dispatch‘s exclusive exposé, actor Jo Jin Woong (also known as Cho Jin Woong) comes from a troubled teenage and pre-debut period marred by crime—which is the alleged reason he is now using his father’s name as his stage name.
Dispatch claimed that not a lot is known about the high school years of the actor, whose real name is Jo Won Joon. Reports vary between Seoul, Bundang, and Busan, with no verified records of the schools he attended. Some sources claim that he was forced to transfer to at least two different schools. And this is all because he changed his name and concealed his real birthday, covering up his Seoul background while working off of his “Busan native” image.
The exclusive report alleged that, according to sources, the actor’s teen years were marked by serious crimes, not just minor misbehavior. He allegedly committed major offenses in high school, resulting in juvenile detention.
Dispatch confirmed aspects of Jo Jin Woong’s criminal record: He and his group of delinquent friends reportedly targeted temporarily parked vehicles, stealing at least three cars, using them, and then abandoning them. They were eventually caught handling stolen property. One source is said to have added, “They stole cars left running on the street, committed various crimes while driving without licenses, and were caught using stolen goods.”
Dispatch’s investigation also indicated that, in 1994, Jo Jin Woong faced criminal trials in his second year of high school, charged under “special robbery and rape” (equivalent to the current charges of aggravated robbery and sexual assault). The source added, “His gang tried sexual assault using the stolen vehicles. Jo Jin Woong and others were sent to a juvenile facility, and he spent a hefty part of his third year of high school there.”
In 1996, Jo Jin Woong was accepted into Kyungsung University’s Theater and Film Department, though it is unclear whether this was immediately after high school or after repeating a year. Sources described this as a move to “launder” his criminal past, accusing him of attempting to scrub the records of serious offenses during his teen years.
However, according to Dispatch, Jo Jin Woong has allegedly had repeated run-ins with the law, even as an adult, during his pre-debut era.
After graduating, Jo Jin Woong joined a theater troupe. Around 2003, he allegedly severely assaulted a troupe member during a drinking session, receiving a fine for assault. Dispatch’s source noted, “There had been previous assault charges, so he was fined.” He is also reported to have driven under the influence, which led to a license suspension. A source reported that it occurred after filming for Once Upon A Time In High School.
He got caught drunk driving and lost his license.
— Dispatch’s Source
Once Upon A Time In High School is a 2004 K-Movie in which Jo Jin Woong made his big screen debut. This is when he abandoned his birth name and adopted his father’s name for his career. A source speculated, “When he was caught for DUI, he wasn’t famous yet. Police probably didn’t even know Jo Jin Woong was an actor because he hadn’t changed his name yet.”
Previously, on various TV programs, Jo Jin Woong stated that he adopted his father’s name as his stage name to create a turning point in his acting career, transitioning from theater to film. However, those familiar with his past believe the name change was intended to conceal his criminal record. “After committing such crimes, how could he continue using the name Jo Won Jun?” one source asked.
Stay tuned for updates.
